What is the purpose of the NCAA basketball "Net Ranking"?

The NCAA basketball "Net Ranking" serves a crucial purpose in evaluating the performance of teams based on their competitive results against opponents. This ranking system takes into consideration various factors, including a team's win-loss record, the strength of their opponents, and the context of the victories or losses. By focusing on team performance rather than individual statistics or financial metrics, the Net Ranking provides a more holistic view of how teams are competing overall within the season. It plays a significant role in determining the seeding for the NCAA tournament, helping to identify which teams are truly excelling in their competitive landscape. This emphasis on performance against quality opponents makes the Net Ranking a valuable tool for assessing success in college basketball.